ECE DEPARTMENT

GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY POLICY

The Electrical & Computer Engineering (ECE) department is committed to providing a

safe and healthy working environment for its students, staff, & faculty. The ECE

department requires its students, staff, and faculty to adhere to basic General

Laboratory Safety Rules in the Electrical Engineering laboratories.

All laboratory operations contain some elements of danger. Safe working habits are

essential in experimental work. Good housekeeping, using the right tools for the right

jobs, avoiding hazards, keeping the lab area clean - all contribute to safe operation.

Accidents should be reported as soon as possible to a Faculty member. Emergency

service is available 24 hours a day at ext. 6100.

GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY RULES

• Food, drink and related utensils shall not be brought into, stored in or consumed

in a laboratory.

• Smoking is prohibited in laboratories.

• Shoes shall be worn that provide full coverage of the feet, and appropriate

personal clothing shall be worn in laboratories.

• Appropriate eye protection shall be worn, when using toxic chemicals or

operating mechanical equipment.

• Occupants shall be familiar with the locations and operation of safety and

emergency equipment such as fire extinguishers, first aid kits, emergency eye

wash stations and emergency showers, emergency power off, emergency

telephones, and emergency exits.

• Learn and know what to do in an emergency.

• Unauthorized person(s) shall not be allowed in a laboratory.

• 'Authorized' means having business in the laboratory with the permission of the

College of Systems Engineering. Anyone under the age of eighteen has to be

under immediate and direct supervision of a qualified authorized person at all

times.

• Laboratory shall remain locked other than office hours.

• Never open (remove cover) of any equipment in the laboratories.

• Report all problems to the EE Shop, 394-2456

• In case of emergency, Campus Security 394-6100 or dial 9-911

Electrical Safety Guidelines

• No power laboratory should be performed without a TA or Faculty present.

• Before equipment is made live, (1) circuit connections and layout should be

checked by a TA, unless specifically advised otherwise, and (2) all colleagues in

your group should give their assent.

• Voltages above 50 V rms ac and 50 V dc are always dangerous. Extra

precautions should be considered as voltage levels are increased.

• Never make any changes to circuits or mechanical layout without first isolating

the circuit by switching off and removing connections to supplies.

• Be familiar with the electrical hazards associated with your workplace.

• You may only enter the laboratory when authorized to do so and at authorized

times.

• Be as careful for the safety of others as for yourself. Think before you act. Be tidy

and systematic.

• Avoid bulky, loose or trailing clothes. Avoid long loose hair. Remove metal

bracelets or watchstraps.

• Do not take food or drink into the laboratory. Avoid wet hands and clothing.

• Use extension cords only when necessary and only on a temporary basis.

• Discard damaged cords, cords that become hot, or cords with exposed wiring.

• Know the correct handling procedures for batteries, cells, capacitors, inductors

and other high energy-storage devices.

• Experiments left unattended should be isolated from the supplies. If for a special

reason, it must be left on, a barrier and a warning notice are required.

• Equipment found to be faulty in any way should be reported immediately and not

used until it is inspected and declared safe.

• Know what you must do in an emergency.

Electrical Emergency Response

The following instructions provide guidelines for handling two types of electrical

emergencies:

1. Electric Shock:

When someone suffers serious electrical shock, he or she may be knocked

unconscious. If the victim is still in contact with the electrical current, immediately turn

off the electrical power source. If you cannot disconnect the power source, push in the

Emergency Power Off button.

IMPORTANT:

Do not touch a victim that is still in contact with a power source; you could electrocute

yourself.

Have someone call for emergency medical assistance immediately. Administer first-aid,

as appropriate.

2. Electrical Fire:

If an electrical fire occurs, try to disconnect the electrical power source, if possible. If the

fire is small, you are not in immediate danger, and you have been trained in fighting

fires, use any type of fire extinguisher except water to extinguish the fire. When in

doubt, push in the Emergency Power Off button.

IMPORTANT:

Do not use water on an electrical fire.

SOLDERING

Soldering electrical components is an every day activity to the electrical or electronics

engineer but it is not without its risks. The most obvious one is that of a burn from the

hot iron or solder. There is also the risk of electric shock if the soldering equipment has

a damaged lead or defective wiring. Always check the mains lead and plug for damage

before starting work and take care not to rest the iron on the lead and burn it.

A less obvious risk is from the flux fumes. These contain formaldehyde, which can

cause an asthma attack. While the risk is small, soldering should as far as possible,

always be carry out in a well ventilated area and care taken to minimize the inhalation of

the fumes. If you feel at all unwell stop work immediately and try and get some fresh air.

Remember too that solder contains lead so avoid contact between hands and mouth

and wash your hands thoroughly before handling food or smoking.

PROJECTS

DO NOT work on your power project in an unsupervised laboratory.

DO ensure you know the additional rules that apply if you are working in a research

laboratory. It is your responsibility to ask your supervisor about this, and his or hers to

train you.

DO NOT work with unprotected live mains. All electronic equipment should be fused

with the correct rating of fuse. Projects on motors etc using mains MUST be conducted

on a bench which has mains protection. All project benches have this. MAINS

PROTECTION SYSTEMS ARE NOT FOOL PROOF. MAKE SURE YOU KNOW

WHICH TYPES OF FAULTS ARE NOT COVERED.

DO NOT use the PCB room or the workshop without prior training. Ask the faculty to

arrange this.

FIRE HAZARDS & PROCEDURES

Fire Alarms

The EEP building is fitted with a fire detection system. The system is a series of smoke

detector, which are situated in the corridors, and a few selected laboratories are also

connected centrally and will automatically call the Fire Brigade in the event of a fire.

It is important however that in the event of a fire to raise the alarm independently of the

fire detection system. This is done by dialing the emergency number *6100 and

notifying security who will then set off the fire alarm bell and call the Fire Brigade. DO

NOT ASSUME THE FIRE DETECTION HAS DETECTED THE FIRE UNLESS YOU

CAN HEAR THE ALARMS.

Fire Safety

If you discover a fire, immediately make people in the vicinity aware of the danger. Then

phone the Campus Security * 6100. Mention room location, floor number and that this is

Building EEP.

Only return with others to the area of the fire if it is small enough to tackle. Never place

yourself in danger attempting to fight a fire alone. Do not attempt to tackle a large fire.

If possible switch off electricity and gas supplies to the area. Remove any inflammable

materials. Use a suitable fire appliance at hand to contain or reduce the blaze.

Wait at a distance and be available to assist the fire services.

Security

We earnestly request your utmost cooperation in maintaining a climate of concern for

proper use and care of the equipment, materials and supplies in the labs.

It is requested that all students and staff keep laboratories and work areas locked when

they are not in use. If you are the last person leaving the lab, be sure to close and lock

all windows and doors. If you were issued keys, these are for your own personal use

and should be kept under your control.

In the past there has been a problem with unauthorized access given to students and

others in both the labs. It is very important that you restrict access only to authorized

persons.

Unauthorized individuals and random curiosity seekers should be challenged and asked

to obtain visiting permission from Faculty or staff members.

Please notify the ECE Department Office or Security Officers immediately if any

evidence of theft or unlawful entry is found. Security can be contacted 24 hours a day at

(Ext. 6100).

Conf. Room

ECE Office

CAMP Lab

Shop

3rd floor Emergency Phones

x

x

PC Lab

CAMP Lab

3rd floor Fire Extinquishers

x

ECE Office

Shop

x 3rd floor Fire Alarms

ECE OfficePC Lab

CAMP Lab

Shop

3rd floor First Aid Kits

x

Alarm Locator

x

2nd Floor Fire Extinguishers

x 2nd Floor Fire Alarms